World War 1 in Color
starring: Kenneth Branagh, Tsar Nicholas II, Emperor Franz Josef
directed by: Jonathan Martin (II)
directed by: Jonathan Martin (II)
Price: $537.00
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With all the incredible World War II documentaries out there, it is pretty amazing how few World War I documentaries there are, let alone quality ones. Part may be from the minimal amount of archival footage, much of which is really rough, and the fact that most of the veterans died before having the chance to tell their stories on color film. But as Ken Burns has taught us, none of these elements are necessary to create great documentaries. All you need is a little creativity, scholarly and dramatic content, and a sharp presentation. World War 1 in Color is one of those documentaries. Narrated by Sir Kenneth Branagh, World War 1 in Color does a great job presenting this important time in world history in a way that is both academic and heart wrenching, with a modernized presentation. Lasting from 1914-1918 and involving 68 million soldiers, WWI was the first modern war and set the historical course for the entire 20th century. On one hand, it ended many old concepts of battle and gallantry that existed in Europe for centuries. On the other hand, it introduced many modern elements of war including grand multinational involvement and technological innovation including the use of submarines, air warfare, trenches, and chemical weaponry. The big selling point of this DVD is obviously the colorization of the archival footage, which is fascinating and does bring a shocking realism to the war. But it is important to note the colorization never comes off as a gimmick, nor does it overshadow the high quality of this documentary. World War 1 in Color is broken up into six episodes; "Catastrophe" (the cause and start of WWI), "Slaughter in the Trenches" (the great stalemate of the German, French and British ground troops on the western front), "Blood in the Air" (the story of the introduction of air warfare), "Killers of the Sea" (innovation in sea battle including the use of the submarine), "Mayhem on the Eastern Front" (the political and military chaos with the Germans, Austrians and Russians), and "Victory and Despair" (1918, the costliest year of the war; America's involvement; the end of the stalemate on the western front; the end of the war; and the Treaty of Versailles). If you are looking for a strong overview and starting point to learn about WWI look no further than World War 1 in Color. It is quite impressive.--Rob Bracco
Description:
World War 1 in Color is the definitive history of the First World War seen now for the first time ever in color and narrated by the highly acclaimed actor Kenneth Branagh.World War 1 in Color uses rare archive footage from worldwide sources including Russia, Germany, France, Italy, the USA and Britain's own Imperial War Museum.This six part landmark series brings to the viewer the gritty reality of life in the trenches during the First World War.
With all the incredible World War II documentaries out there, it is pretty amazing how few World War I documentaries there are, let alone quality ones. Part may be from the minimal amount of archival footage, much of which is really rough, and the fact that most of the veterans died before having the chance to tell their stories on color film. But as Ken Burns has taught us, none of these elements are necessary to create great documentaries. All you need is a little creativity, scholarly and dramatic content, and a sharp presentation. World War 1 in Color is one of those documentaries. Narrated by Sir Kenneth Branagh, World War 1 in Color does a great job presenting this important time in world history in a way that is both academic and heart wrenching, with a modernized presentation. Lasting from 1914-1918 and involving 68 million soldiers, WWI was the first modern war and set the historical course for the entire 20th century. On one hand, it ended many old concepts of battle and gallantry that existed in Europe for centuries. On the other hand, it introduced many modern elements of war including grand multinational involvement and technological innovation including the use of submarines, air warfare, trenches, and chemical weaponry. The big selling point of this DVD is obviously the colorization of the archival footage, which is fascinating and does bring a shocking realism to the war. But it is important to note the colorization never comes off as a gimmick, nor does it overshadow the high quality of this documentary. World War 1 in Color is broken up into six episodes; "Catastrophe" (the cause and start of WWI), "Slaughter in the Trenches" (the great stalemate of the German, French and British ground troops on the western front), "Blood in the Air" (the story of the introduction of air warfare), "Killers of the Sea" (innovation in sea battle including the use of the submarine), "Mayhem on the Eastern Front" (the political and military chaos with the Germans, Austrians and Russians), and "Victory and Despair" (1918, the costliest year of the war; America's involvement; the end of the stalemate on the western front; the end of the war; and the Treaty of Versailles). If you are looking for a strong overview and starting point to learn about WWI look no further than World War 1 in Color. It is quite impressive.--Rob Bracco
Description:
World War 1 in Color is the definitive history of the First World War seen now for the first time ever in color and narrated by the highly acclaimed actor Kenneth Branagh.World War 1 in Color uses rare archive footage from worldwide sources including Russia, Germany, France, Italy, the USA and Britain's own Imperial War Museum.This six part landmark series brings to the viewer the gritty reality of life in the trenches during the First World War.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- More of a gimmick than a real documentary
World War One In Colour is a run-of-the-mill documentary with good narration and the same few visuals we've all seen before repeated over and over again (as if there's no more WW1 footage in existence).But this time it's all IN GLORIOUS COLOUR!
Now that would be great if the colourization was done well, but all-too-often it's done terribly.British guards tunics are too dark (because the colorizing processors haven't taken into account the darkening of reds that happens on old films); ... Read More
Rating: 
- Worth viewing for the colorized footage
The gimic behind World War 1 in Colour is the surprisingly effective use of colorized footage. See The First World War - The Complete Series if you want a good understanding of the war, but, by all means, see this documentary for the color. It really does make a difference.
Rating: - Watch Over and Over Again!
The only thing I'll add to the other 4- and 5-star reviews is that I wish it was longer!I could watch several hours more of this film footage.Very well done.
Rating: 
- World War I in colour
Excellent video, Kenneth Branagh did a outstanding job of documenting facts and presenting them in segments that pulled together.For anyone that enjoyed this i would recommned Fall of Eagles which also deals with the relationship between Austria, Prussia and Russia.I would recommend this video to any history buff
Rating: - The Impacting Color, Red
I'm not going to write about the scope of this DVDs military/historical merit because I'm not a historian and don't want to offend the sensibilities of those who are. I would instead like it known beforehand that I have read a lot on the subject, have watched a lot on the subject, and have delved into some of the more bizarre intrigues of warfare. My great-grandfather, a doughboy himself, sparked my interest when I was a child and, with that still impressing an ever-impressionable mind, I purchased this ... Read More
- More of a gimmick than a real documentaryWorld War One In Colour is a run-of-the-mill documentary with good narration and the same few visuals we've all seen before repeated over and over again (as if there's no more WW1 footage in existence).But this time it's all IN GLORIOUS COLOUR!
Now that would be great if the colourization was done well, but all-too-often it's done terribly.British guards tunics are too dark (because the colorizing processors haven't taken into account the darkening of reds that happens on old films); ... Read More
- Worth viewing for the colorized footageThe gimic behind World War 1 in Colour is the surprisingly effective use of colorized footage. See The First World War - The Complete Series if you want a good understanding of the war, but, by all means, see this documentary for the color. It really does make a difference.
- Watch Over and Over Again!The only thing I'll add to the other 4- and 5-star reviews is that I wish it was longer!I could watch several hours more of this film footage.Very well done.
- World War I in colourExcellent video, Kenneth Branagh did a outstanding job of documenting facts and presenting them in segments that pulled together.For anyone that enjoyed this i would recommned Fall of Eagles which also deals with the relationship between Austria, Prussia and Russia.I would recommend this video to any history buff
- The Impacting Color, RedI'm not going to write about the scope of this DVDs military/historical merit because I'm not a historian and don't want to offend the sensibilities of those who are. I would instead like it known beforehand that I have read a lot on the subject, have watched a lot on the subject, and have delved into some of the more bizarre intrigues of warfare. My great-grandfather, a doughboy himself, sparked my interest when I was a child and, with that still impressing an ever-impressionable mind, I purchased this ... Read More
